2021 Nissan 400Z

Overview

Sports cars are having a moment—witness the revived Toyota Supra and the splashy mid-engined Corvette that both debuted last year—so it's perfect timing for Nissan to redesign its aging Z coupe, which we expect will bear the name 400Z. Nissan has been secretive with details about the 400Z, but we expect to see shared powertrain and platform with the Q60 coupe from Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti. That would mean a twin-turbo V-6 engine, rear-wheel drive proportions, and—mercifully—a much needed technology update.

What's New for 2021?

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Base: $45,000 (est.)

Premium: $48,000 (est.)

Track: $50,000 (est.)

NISMO: $53,000 (est.)

We expect a price hike over the current 370Z to somewhere in the mid-$40,000 range for a starting price. To justify its higher price tag, we expect that the 400Z up the ante with more luxury features, improved performance, and more desirable styling, all of which will also help it move up from the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ playing field to compete with the likes of the Supra, the BMW Z4, and the Audi TT.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Like its beastly brother, the Nissan GT-R, the 400Z is expected to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6. But, instead of the fire-breathing 565-hp 3.8-liter that’s under the hood of the GT-R, the 400Z will likely get the 300-hp 3.0-liter mill from the Infiniti Q60. It's also possible that high-performance NISMO variant could get the 400-hp version of that engine that's currently exclusive to the Q60 Red Sport 400. While all-wheel drive is available in the Infiniti, we expect Nissan will stick with rear-wheel drive exclusively for the 400Z; a second-speed automatic is likely, but we're hoping for a six-speed manual option as well.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA hasn't released any estimates for fuel economy for the new Z, but if the Q60 is anything to on, we can expect highway fuel economy ratings as high as 28 mpg or so, with city ratings falling just south of the 20-mpg line. We'll know more closer to the car's on-sale date and we're hoping to test the 400Z's highway fuel economy on our 200-mile test route.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Although it'll be all-new for 2021, we're not anticipating that Nissan will change the layout of the Z's cabin and that it will remain a two-seat coupe with no vestigial rear seats à laPorsche 911. We are, however, expecting a big improvement in the design and feature content of the 400Z's cabin. Beyond that, we're praying for it. The 370Z's current interior is very dated and lacks many options that modern cars half its price offer as standard. To justify its expected price-hike, we'd expect Nissan to throw in genuine leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Cargo space remains a mystery, but we aren't hopeful that the 400Z will turn into a Costco-run champion; we fit three carry-on suitcases in the trunk of the 370Z, which should be plenty for buyers of such a vehicle.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Perhaps one of the categories that the Z has the most room for improvement is in its infotainment offerings. The current car is one of the few new cars on the road today that doesn't have a touchscreen infotainment system as standard, something that Nissan will undoubtedly address with the new 400Z. We expect an 8.0-inch touchscreen display (or larger) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Nissan's latest NissanConnect user interface. Navigation will likely be an option; optional premium audio will likely be engineered by Bose.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have crash tested the 400Z and they likely won't as neither one regularly tests sports cars. The 400Z will likely showcase Nissan's latest driver-assistance features, but high-tech party pieces are expected to remain optional. Key safety features are likely to include:

Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection

Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist

Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Nissan's basic warranty package is just that: Basic. Rival such as the Supra and the Z4 both augment their standard warranties with lengthy complimentary maintenance plans.

Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles

No complimentary scheduled maintenance

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